Park Bo-gum and 4 other K-drama actors who first trained as K-pop idols

Nov 10 , 2020

Ahn Hyo-seop, Gong Seung-yeon, Park Bo-gum: three actors who trained to be K-pop idols. Photo: @imhyoseop, @0seungyeon, @_parkbogum/Instagram

Ahn Hyo-seop, Yoo Ah-in, Kim Min-jae and Gong Seung-yeon also started out as singers before switching to appear in shows like Dr. Romantic, Are You Human? and Love in the Moonlight

Fresh-faced would-be stars entering the South Korean entertainment industry generally get cast or audition for a certain role – either as a future K-pop idol or actor – and then receive specific training to hopefully go on and find fame. But while most trainees don’t get the chance to stray from their chosen field, others get another bite of the cherry – as these five actors who almost debuted as K-pop idols prove.

Park Bo-gum

As he’s always told fans, Park Bo-gum dreamed of becoming a singer and went through a couple of auditions. He sent a video of himself singing and playing the piano to numerous talent management agencies which led to several offers, but he later refocused on acting instead.

He debuted as an actor in 2011 with a supporting role in the thriller film Blind, and has gained popularity through the years with his K-dramas such as Love in the Moonlight, Reply 1988 and Encounter. The award-winning actor is currently starring in Record of Youth, alongside Parasite’s Park So-dam.

Ahn Hyo-seop

Ahn Hyo-seop returned to Seoul at 17 years old, after spending his childhood in Canada. He graduated from Kookmin University’s Department of International Business, and was scouted by JYP Entertainment.

He trained alongside Got7, and even got to be Jackson Wang’s roommate. But he didn’t debut with the group, due to his height and skills, and instead found a passion for acting – is now a screen star known for his role in Dr. Romantic.

Gong Seung-yeon